Combined policeman&#39;s club and restraining device



S. T. VOLL Dec. 27, 1960 COMBINED POLICEMANS CLUB AND RESTRAINING DEVICEFiled April 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 brill-..

Jamue/ l 0// Dec. 27, 1960 s. T. VOLL 2,966,621

COMBINED POLICEMANS CLUB AND RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 2 To HIGH TENSION 0F g fi' IGNITION SYSTEM United StatesPatent COMBINED POLICEMANS CLUB AND RESTRAIN- ING DEVICE Samuel T. Voll,Great Falls, Mont., assiguor of onetenth to Gadget-Of-The-Month Club,Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Apr. 3,1958, Ser. No. 726,166

6 Claims. (Cl. 317-262) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in clubs or sticks for policemen, guards and other likeindividuals who are called upon from time to time to take persons intocustody and/or to restrain the same from violent or otherwiseundesirable movements.

The principal object of the invention is to enable such policemen orguards to easily and effectively retain such persons in a subdued statewithout the use of force or injurious weapons, this being achieved byproviding the improved club with a hook adapted to be attached to thepersons to be restrained, and means for delivering lowstrength, hightension current to the hook, whereby the persons in custody may be givennon-injurious electric shocks of sufiicient effectiveness to discourageany attempts at resistance or violence on their part.

An important feature of the invention, therefore resides in thestructural arrangement of the club and in the provision of means forelectrically charging the hook thereof, such means being readilycontrolled by a switch With which the club is provided.

Another important feature of the invention resides in arranging theelectric charge producing means within the club itself, so that the sameis fully self-contained and does not require connection to an externalsource of current.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision ofilluminating means on the club, whereby the same may be also used forpurposes of signalling or in the manner of a conventional flashlight.

Another feature of the invention, in a slightly modified form thereof,resides in providing a pull cord operatively connected at one endthereof to the aforementioned switch and adapted at its other end forattachment to a suitable stationary structure, so that when the club isapplied to the person in custody the cord is normally slack, but whensuch person makes an undesirable movement the cord is tightened and theswitch is automatically energized to restrain the person in custody byelectric shock, as already mentioned. As such, this form of theinvention may be effectively used in automobiles used for transportingarrested persons, without any danger of such persons attempting tooverpower the driver.

Another feature of the invention in line with the embodiment justdescribed involves the provision of means for energizing the hook of theclub by an external source of current, such as for example, the hightension igni- 2,966,621 1 Patented Dec. 27, 1960 Figure l is alongitudinal sectional view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane ofthe line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane ofthe line 3-3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational View of the club, showing theswitch means thereon;

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the electrical components used in theinvention;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing aslightly modified form of the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the club in use as a restrainingdevice;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of another modified form ofthe invention;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane ofthe line 9-9 in Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane ofthe line 10-10 in Figure 8.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, particularly toFigures 1-5 thereof, the policemans club is designated generally by thereference numeral 15 and embodies in its construction an elongated body16 which is preferably formed from translucent, insulating material suchas clear plastic, or the like.

The body 16 is tapered to provide a convenient handle 16a at one endportion thereof, and an elongated chamber exists in the body, in whichis provided a tubular metallic insert 17, accommodating two or more drybatteries 18 and an induction coil 19 hereinafter more particularlydescribed.

One end portion of the insert 17 is enlarged and internallyscrew-threaded to receive a screw-threaded portion 20 of an end cap 21,the parts 20, 21 also being formed from metal, so that they are groundedto the insert 17. A restraining hook 22 is mounted in the plug or cap20, 21 but is electrically insulated therefrom by an insulating s eeve23, the hook 22 being adapted for engagement with a person to berestrained, such as for example, by engaging the hook with the collar ofsuch person, as illustrated in Figure 7.

A metallic tube 24 constitutes a continuation of the other end of theinsert 17 and is enlarged at its outer end to form a socket 25 for anincandescent lamp 26 in a reflector 27 accommodated by the adjacent endportion of the handle 16a, as shown. A suitable screwthreaded retainingrim 28 is provided at the end of the handle to support a lease 29 on thereflector 27, as will be clearly apparent.

Switch means 30 are also provided in the handle 16a Y and include twoseparate switches 30a, 30b, which are tion system of an automobile, ininstances where the de- A vice is intended to be used in such anenvironment.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity ofconstruction, dependable operation, and in its adaptability toeconomical manufacture.

With the above more important objects and features in view and suchother objects and features as may beadapted to be closed by actuation ofsuitable push buttons 31a, 31b, respectively, provided at the outside ofthe handle.

The body 16 is provided intermediate the ends thereof with a set ofsubstantially annular cavities 32, best shown in Figure 2, which arefilled with neon gas and are adapted to function as neon tubes forilluminating the translucent material of the body when the device is tobe used for signalling purposes. The tubes 32 are spaced longitudinallyof the body and the ends of each tube are spaced apart so that a pair ofelectrodes 33, 34 may be set therein to energize the neon gas in thetube.

The electrical connections of the various components will be apparentfrom Figure 5, wherein it will be noted that the electrodes 33 of theneon tubes 32 are grounded, this being achieved by connecting the sameto the metallic insert 17. The aforementioned induction coil 19 is ofany suitable conventional type, including a low tension winding 35, ahigh tension winding 36 and a suitable vibrator (not shown) forinterrupting the circuitin the low tension winding so as to inducecurrent in the high tension winding when the low tension winding isenergized by direct current from the batteries 18. One side of the lowtension winding 35 is grounded to a metallic case in which the coil 19is enclosed, and is thus also grounded to the insert 17. Moreover, themetallic case of the coil 19 is provided with a stud 37 for groundingthe batteries 18, it being noted that the stud 37 contacts the adjacentbattery when the parts are assembled in the insert 17 as shown in Figurel.

The other side of the low tension winding 35 of the coil 19 is connectedby a conductor 38 to the switch 3% which is connected in parallel withthe switch 36a to a conductor 39 extending from the live side of thebatteries 18 to the lamp 26. It will be apparent from the foregoing thatwhen the switch 30a is closed, current will fiow from the batteries 18to the lamp 26, returning to the batteries through the ground afiordedby the socket 25, tube 24 and insert 17. In this manner, the club may beeffectively used in the nature of a conventional flashlight. Theconductor 39 is contained in the tube 24 and is provided at its innerend with an enlarged head 40 to contact the batteries, as shown.

It will be also apparent that when the switch 30b is closed, currentwill flow from the batteries 18 through the conductor 38 to energize thelow tension winding of the induction coil 19, .as well as the hightension winding 36 of the latter. One side of the high tension winding36 is grounded to the metallic case of the coil 19 and the other sidethereof is connected to an insulated stud 41 on the case, which stud iscontacted by an enlarged head 42 at the inner end of the hook 22. Thus,high tension current is delivered to the hook and when the hook and themetallic cap 21 simultaneously come in contact with the body of theperson to whom the hook is attached, electrical shock will result, whichmay be effectively utilized for subduing such a person.

It will be also noted that a conductor 43 extends from the stud 41 tothe electrodes 34 of the neon tubes 32, so that the neon tubes are alsoenergized when the switch 30b is closed. In this manner, the body of theclub will become illuminated to permit use thereof for signallingpurposes. Of course, if desired, separate switch means (not shown) maybe provided to permit energization of the neon tubes independently ofthe hook 22.

The conductors 38, 43 are disposed in a suitable bore 44 formedlongitudinally in the body 16 and extending between the spaced ends ofthe tubes so as not to interfere with the tubes themselves, asillustrated in Figure 2. Moreover, to facilitate replacement of thebatteries 18 upon removal of the cap 21 and induction coil 19, the coil19 is provided with a connector member 45 which separably engages aconnector member 46 in the body 16 to effect the electrical connectionbetween the conductor 43 and the winding 36, as well as the connectionbetween the conductor 38 and the winding 35. The body '16 is formed witha slot 47, slidably receiving the connector 45 therein when the coil 19is installed or removed from the insert 17.

The invention as thus described is fully self-contained and may be usedfor restraining, signalling or general illuminating purposes without anyexternal source of electric current.

A slightly modified form of the invention is shown in Figures 6 and 7,wherein the club and its equipment are the same as already described,with the exception that another switch is added for use as analternative for the switch 30b which, however, is also present so thatthe same may be used in a selective manner. The additional switchinvolves the provision of a contact 48 which is in circuit with theconductor 38 and is adapted to be engaged by a contact 49 at the end ofa rod 50 which is slidable in the handle 16a. The :rod 50 is angulatedto project outwardly from the handle and terminates in an eye 51 towhich is attached one end of a pull cord 52.

The handle 16a is formed with a recess 53 accomodating a spring 54 onthe rod 50, this spring bearing against a collar 55 on the rod so as tonormally urge the switch contacts 48, 49 apart.

The other end of the pull cord 52 is adapted to be attached in anysuitable manner to a stationary structure, such as for example, an eye56 secured to the floor of an automobile, adjacent a seat 57 on which aperson in custody is seated, as shown at 58.

When the club 15 is applied to the person as shown, the cord 52 isconnected to the eye 56 with sufiicient slackness existing in the cordto permit the person in custody a limited amount of free movement.However, if the person moves excessively beyond desirable limits, thetightening of the cord 52 will cause sliding of the rod 50 and closingof the switch contacts 48, 49, whereby the hook 22 will be automaticallyenergized to restrain any such further movement on the part of theprisoner. In this manner the driver of the vehicle will be safeguardedagainst any attempt by the prisoner to overpower him, this being ofparticular importance in view of the fact that many policemen are quitealone when arresting a person and transporting him to their station.

Figures 8-l0 illustrate another modified form of the invention whereinthe club is designated generally by the reference numeral 60 andcomprises a suitable housing 61, preferably of insulating material,having mounted longitudinally therein a pair of spaced parallel metallicrods 62 which project outwardly from one end of the housing and arejoined together to provide a hook 63.

A yoke 64 of a substantially U-shaped configuration is provided at theends thereof with a pair of tubular guides 65 which are slidable on therods 62, and compression springs 66 are positioned on the rods betweenthe guides 65 and shoulders 67 with which the rods are provided, wherebyto urge the yoke 64 in the direction of a pair of stop collars 68 whichthe rods also carry.

A switch contact 69 is mounted in the housing 61 upon a suitable screwor post 70 and is adapted to be contacted by the bight portion of theyoke 64 when the yoke is pulled in the direction of the arrow 71 by apull cord 72. The latter extends outwardly from the housing 61 through asuitable guide sleeve 73 and is adapted to be connected at its outer endto a suitable stationary structure, such as for example, theaforementioned eye 56. The inner end of the cord 72 is attached by aconnector 74 to the yoke 64.

When this form of the invention is placed in use, the hook 63 is appliedto the prisoner as already described and the cord 72 is attached to theeye 56 with sufilcient slackness to permit limited freedom of movement.However, in the presence of excessive movement on the part of theprisoner, the cord will become tightened and will slide the yoke 64along the rods 62 until the yoke contacts the switch contact 69. Asuitable conductor wire 75, connected to the post 76 and extendedoutwardly from the housing 61 is connected to a suitable source of hightension current, such as for example, the high tension ignition systemof an automobile, whereby such current will be delivered to the hook 63to shock the prisoner. In this regard it is to be noted that groundingof the club with the prisoners body is not absolutely necessary when ahigh tension charge is delivered to the hook, since the position of theprisoner in the metallic body of the vehicle may provide sufficientground for a return path of the high tension circuit.

In order to securely attach the club to the prisoner, the other end ofthe housing 61 may be provided with a keeper member in the form of asecond hook 76 formed at the outer end of a rod 77 which is siidable ina tubular casing 78 formed in the housing 61. The inner end of the rod77 is equipped with a guide 79 slidable in the casing 78, and acompression spring 80 operatively engages the guide 79 whereby to urgethe rod 77 and the hook 76 to a retracted position. However, the hook 76may be drawn outwardly against the resiliency of the spring 80 andengaged with the prisoners clothing, such as for example, with his beltor suspenders, at a point remote from the hook 63, whereby to retain theentire device in position on the prisoners body. If desired ornecessary, the hook 76 may be suitably grounded so as to provide areturn path for the current delivered to the hook 63.

The housing 61 may be also equipped with illuminating means in the formof neon tubes and incandescent lamp as already described in connectionwith the club 15, these features being omitted from the showing inFigures 8-10 for sake of simplicity.

It will be also apparent that apart from its utilitarian features asherein disclosed, the invention may be also used as a weapon in thenature of a conventional policemans club, the general shape of thedevice as shown in Figures 1-7 being such as to make this possible.

While in the foregoing there have been shown and described the preferredembodiments of the invention, various modifications may become apparentto those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly,it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure and variousmodifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A policemans club comprising an elongated body formed fromtranslucent material and having an elongated chamber therein, aninsulated electrically conductive hook provided at one end of said body,a neon tube embedded intermediate the ends of the body and at leastpartially encircling same and adapted to illuminate the same, anelectric battery positioned in said chamber, an induction coil providedin said chamber in circuit with said battery, and switch means providedon the body in circuit with said induction coil, said hook and said neontube for delivering high tension current thereto.

2. A combined policemans club and restraining device, comprising anelongated body formed from translucent material, an insulatedelectrically conductive hook provided at one end of said body andadapted to be attached to a person to be restrained, a plurality of neontubes, spacedly embedded intermediate the ends of the body and each atleast partially encircling same and adapted to illuminate same, meansfor delivering high tension current to said hook and said neon tubes,switch means on said body for controlling said last mentioned means, anda normally slack pull cord operatively connected to said switch means atone end thereof, the other end of said pull cord being adapted to beattached to a stationary structure, whereby said switch means may beenergized when the pull cord is tightened.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for deliveringhigh tension current to said hook comprise a battery and an inductioncoil contained in said body.

4. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for deliveringhigh tension current to said hook comprise a conductor in circuit withsaid switch means and adapted to be connected to the high tensionignition system of an automobile.

5. The device as defined in claim 2 together with a spring-pressedkeeper member provided at the other end of said body and adapted to beattached to a person to be restrained at a point remote from said book.

6. A policemans club comprising an elongated body formed fromtranslucent material, an insulated electrically conductive hook providedat one end of said body, at least one neon tube embedded intermediatethe ends of the body and at least partially encircling same and adaptedto illuminate same, means for delivering high tension current to saidhook and said neon tube, and switch means on said body for controllingsaid last mentioned means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,158,473 Floyd Nov. 2, 1915 2,208,852 Mongan July 23, 194.0 2,253,315Andrus Aug. 19, 1941

